Achieving a Record-High Yield Rate of 120.9 μgNH3  mgcat.-1  h-1 for N<sub>2</sub> Electrochemical Reduction over Ru Single-Atom Catalysts.

Geng, Zhigang; Liu, Yan; Kong, Xiangdong; Li, Pai; Li, Kan; Liu, Zhongyu; Du, Junjie; Shu, Miao et al. · Adv Mater · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of N<sub>2</sub> into NH<sub>3</sub> production under ambient conditions represents an attractive prospect for the fixation of N<sub>2</sub> . However, this process suffers from low yield rate of NH<sub>3</sub> over reported electrocatalysts. In this work, a record-high activity for N<sub>2</sub> electrochemical reduction over Ru single atoms distributed on nitrogen-doped carbon (Ru SAs/N-C) is reported. At -0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, Ru SAs/N-C achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 29.6% for NH<sub>3</sub> production with partial current density of -0.13 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> . Notably, the yield rate of Ru SAs/N-C reaches 120.9 μgNH3  mgcat.-1  h-1, which is one order of magnitude higher than the highest value ever reported. This work not only develops a superior electrocatalyst for NH<sub>3</sub> production, but also provides a guideline for the rational design of highly active and robust single-atom catalysts.